Shoe accessory

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of a shoe accessory may include a decorative covering and a peel-off layer. The decorative covering is configured to be attached on a portion of a shoe. The decorative covering may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may include an adhesive for affixing the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe. The second surface may include a decoration. The peel-off layer is bound with the adhesive on the first surface. Peeling off the peel-off layer exposes the adhesive. The exposed adhesive is capable of attaching the decorative covering on the portion of the shoe. In another embodiment, a method for modifying an appearance of a shoe is disclosed. In yet another embodiment a shoe with a decorative covering attached thereon is disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/111,545 filed on Nov. 5, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to shoes, and, more particularly to shoe accessories for modifying appearance of shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Shoes are generally worn by most of the world's population to protect their feet. The shoes are worn by individuals of all age group and gender while going for outdoor activities, such for a walk, trekking, and the like. Further, fashion conscious individuals, more specifically women, wear the shoes, which complement their clothing. Furthermore, the shoes may have some decoration thereon, for a specific occasion. In general, a shoe adds to an appearance of an individual.

However, shoes tend to be damaged when worn by the individual while walking through grass or through surfaces. Specifically, the shoes may get scuffs or abrasion thereon. Such scuffs and abrasions may often be permanent and may degrade an aesthetic appearance of the shoes. Further, wearing such damaged shoes may attract adverse attention from passersby.

Furthermore, with changing fashion, the individual may require to discard the shoes and buy new shoes that complement their clothing. Still further, the decoration on the shoe may not be alterable by the individuals, and therefore, once the occasion is over, such shoes may not be useful for regular use. Buying new shoes for new occasions or to going with new clothing may incur a huge expense for the individuals.

Various shoe accessories, such as shoe covers, exist for protecting the shoes from scratches, scuffs, and abrasions. Further, various decorations exist that can be attached with the shoes to be worn on specific occasions.

However, such shoe covers have to be worn on upper portions of the shoes while walking through grass or on rough surfaces for protecting the shoes. Covering the shoes with the shoe covers when in use, may diminish an aesthetic appeal of the shoes. Further, the decorations on the shoes may often be permanent and may not be alterable by the individuals by themselves at home.

Accordingly, there exists a need to protect shoes from damage, such as scratches, scuffs, and abrasions. Further, there exists a need to modify an appearance of a damaged shoe to maintain an aesthetic appeal of the shoe. Furthermore, there exists a need to provide a shoe accessory for decorating a shoe. Furthermore, there exists a need for individuals to modify an appearance of a shoe by themselves.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a shoe accessory to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to protect shoes from damages, such as scratches, scuffs, and abrasions.

Another object of the present disclosure is to modify an appearance of a damaged shoe to maintain an aesthetic appeal of the damaged shoe.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a shoe accessory for decorating a shoe.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide shoe accessories for individual users to modify appearances of shoes by themselves.

In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a shoe accessory is disclosed. The shoe accessory includes a decorative covering and a peel-off layer. The decorative covering is configured to be attached on a portion of a shoe, and includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes an adhesive for affixing the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe. The second surface includes a decoration. Further, the peel-off layer is bound with the adhesive on the first surface. Peeling off the peel-off layer exposes the adhesive. The exposed adhesive is capable of attaching the decorative covering on the portion of the shoe.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for modifying an appearance of a shoe. The method includes peeling off a peel-off layer from a shoe accessory. The peel-off layer bound with an adhesive on the shoe accessory. Further, the method includes attaching the shoe accessory on a portion of the shoe for modifying the appearance of the shoe. The shoe accessory includes a decorative covering. The decorative covering includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes the adhesive for attaching the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe. The second surface includes a decoration for modifying the appearance of the shoe.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes a sole, an upper portion, a heel and a decorative covering. The sole includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The upper portion is mounted on the top surface of the sole. The heel is configured on the bottom surface of the sole. Further, the decorative covering is attached on a portion of the shoe. The portion of the shoe includes at least one of the sole, the upper portion and the heel. The decorative covering includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes an adhesive for attaching the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe. The second surface includes a decoration.

The decorative covering of the shoe accessory may be attached on the shoe by peeling the peel-off layer and attaching the decorative covering on the portion of the shoe that is damaged, thereby maintaining an aesthetic appeal of the shoe. Further, the decorative covering of the shoe accessory may be used for decorating the shoe. Furthermore, the shoe accessory may be readily available and easy to attach to the shoe, thereby enabling individual users to modify shoe appearance themselves.

These together with other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary shoe accessory, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a shoe with a shoe accessory attached thereon, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a shoe with a shoe accessory in a floral design configured on an upper portion of the shoe, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of a shoe with a shoe accessory configured on a heel of the shoe, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method for modifying an appearance of a shoe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure, and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a shoe accessory as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

The present disclosure provides a shoe accessory that may be utilized by a user to modify appearance of a shoe, hide scuffmarks formed on the shoe, decorate the shoe, and to perform other similar activities.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary shoe accessory 100 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shoe accessory 100 may include a decorative covering 102 and a peel-off layer 104. The decorative covering 102 is configured to attach on a portion of a shoe (not shown). The decorative covering 102 may include a first surface 106 and a second surface (not shown). The first surface 106 may include an adhesive 106 a for affixing the decorative covering 102 with the portion of the shoe. The second surface may include a decoration. Further, the peel-off layer 104 is bound with the adhesive 106 a on the first surface 106. Peeling off the peel-off layer 104 exposes the adhesive 106 a on the first surface 106. The adhesive 106 a exposed by peeling off the peel-off layer 104 is capable of attaching the decorative covering 102 on the portion of the shoe.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the peel-off layer 104 may be a protective liner removably adhered to the first surface 106 with the help of the adhesive 106 a. More specifically, the peel-off layer 104 may be composed of a non-stick material, such as a plastic film, a paper sheet, and the like. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the peel-off layer 104 may be made of any other suitable material known in the art. In use, the peel-off layer 104 may be configured on the first surface 106 such that the peel-off layer 104 prevents the adhesive 106 a from contacting other surfaces. When the peel-off layer 104 is peeled off, the adhesive 106 a is exposed and remains on the first surface 106 for attaching with the portion of the shoe. Examples of the adhesive 106 a may include, but are not limited to, glue and bio-adhesive. However it will be evident to those skilled in the art that any adhesive known in the art may be utilized.

The peel-off layer 104 may be configured according to a shape of the decorative covering 102, such that the peel-off layer 104 conforms to the shape of the decorative covering 102 when adhered to the first surface 106.

As mentioned previously, the peel-off layer 104 may be peeled off to expose the first surface 106 for attaching the decorative covering 102 to the portion of the shoe. Such attachment of the decorative covering 102 to the portion of the shoe is capable of hiding scuffmarks. Further, the attachment of the decorative covering 102 to the portion of the shoe modifies an appearance of the shoe. The portion of the shoe may include at least one of a sole (not shown), a heel (not shown) and an upper portion (not shown) of the shoe.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the decorative covering 102 is composed of at least one of vinyl and or leather. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that any other suitable material known in the art may be used for configuring the decorative covering 102. Moreover, the decorative covering 102 may be of any size, shape and color. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the decorative covering 102 may be a flame-styled decorative covering, as shown in FIG. 1. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the decorative covering 102 may be of any other design and style, such as flowers, butterflies, stars, flags, spider webs, holiday-themes, and the like. Further, the shoe accessory 100 of the present disclosure may be attached on men's shoes, women's shoes and children's shoes. A shoe manufactured with different shoe accessories configured thereon, is depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, different shoes configured with a variety of decorative coverings are illustrated. Specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates a shoe 200 configured with the decorative covering 102 of FIG. 1, on an upper portion 204 of the shoe 200. FIG. 2B illustrates a shoe 300 configured with a decorative covering 150 on an upper portion 304 of the shoe 300. Further, FIG. 2C illustrates a shoe 400 configured with a decorative covering 160 on a heel 406 of the shoe 400.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the shoe 200 is configured with the decorative covering 102 of FIG. 1, on the upper portion 204 of the shoe 200. The shoe 200 includes a sole 202, the upper portion 204, a heel 206 and the decorative covering 102 (explained in FIG. 1). The sole 202 includes a top surface 202 a and a bottom surface (not shown). The upper portion 204 is mounted on the top surface 202 a of the sole 202. Further, the heel 206 is configured on the bottom surface of the sole 202. The shoe 200 further includes the decorative covering 102 attached on a portion of the shoe 200. The portion of the shoe 200 may include the sole 202, the upper portion 204 and the heel 206. The decorative covering 102 may include the first surface 106 (shown in FIG. 1) and a second surface 108. The first surface 106 may include the adhesive 106 a (shown in FIG. 1) for attaching the decorative covering 102 with the portion of the shoe 200. Further, the second surface 108 includes a decoration. The decoration may include a design, a pattern, a color, shading, a shape, a texture, and the like. The decorative covering 102 may be capable of modifying an appearance of the shoe 200.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the shoe 300 is illustrated with the decorative covering 150 configured thereon. The shoe 300 may include a sole 302, an upper portion 304 and a heel 306. The decorative covering 150 may be of a floral design, as depicted. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that a first surface (not shown) of the decorative covering 150 may be layered with an adhesive, such as the adhesive 106 a, of the shoe accessory 100 (shown in FIG. 1). Further, a second surface 152 of the decorative covering 150 may include a decoration for decorating the shoe 300. The decorative covering 150 includes a floral design. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the decoration on the second surface 152 may be a design, a pattern, a color, shading, a shape, a texture, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2C, the shoe 400 includes the decorative covering 160 configured on the heel 406 of the shoe 400. The shoe 400 may include a sole 402, an upper portion 404, a heel 406 and a decorative covering 160. The decorative covering 160 is pre-configured on the heel 406 of the shoe 400 such that a second surface 162 of the decorative covering 160 includes a decoration. The decorative covering 160 is shown to have a polka-dotted pattern. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the decorative covering 160 may be constructed in a similar manner as the decorative covering 102 described in FIG. 1. Further, the decorative covering 160 may be removable from the shoe 400. Specifically, each of the decorative coverings 102, 150 and 160 may be removable from the shoes 100, 200, 300 and 400, respectively.

The shoes 200, 300 and 400 depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C may be regular shoes made of leather, rubber, plastic, and the like. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the shoes 200, 300 and 400 may be made of other materials known in the art. Further, the decorative covering 102, 150 and 160 depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C may be composed of at least one of vinyl and or leather. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that any other suitable material may be utilized for the decorative coverings 102, 150 and 160. Further, the decorative coverings 102, 150 and 160 are shown as integrally attached with the shoes 200, 300 and 400 with the help of an adhesive, such as the adhesive 106 a (shown in FIG. 1). However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that any other fastening process, such as stitching, pinning, riveting, and the like, may be utilized to configure the decorative coverings 102, 150 and 160 with the shoes 100, 200, 300 and 400. A method for attaching a decorative covering, such as the decorative coverings 102, 150 and 160 on a shoe is described in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flowchart depicting a method 500 for modifying an appearance of a shoe is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 500 starts at 502. At 502, the method 500 may include selecting a shoe accessory, such as the shoe accessory 100 (shown in FIG. 1), for attaching to a portion of a shoe. At 504, the method 500 may include peeling off a peel-off layer, such as the peel-off layer 104 (shown in FIG. 1), from the shoe accessory. The peel-off layer may be bound with an adhesive on the shoe accessory. Peeling off the peel-off layer may expose the adhesive. The adhesive exposed by peeling may be capable of attaching the decorative covering on the portion of the shoe. The portion of the shoe herein may include at least one of a sole, a heel and an upper portion of the shoe. At 506, the method 500 may include attaching the shoe accessory on the portion of the shoe for modifying the appearance of the shoe. The method 500 ends at 508.

The method 500 utilizes the shoe accessory for modifying the appearance of the shoe. The method 500 may utilize a decorative covering, such as the decorative covering 102, the decorative covering 150, and the decorative covering 160. The decorative covering may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may include the adhesive for affixing the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe. The second surface may include a decoration for modifying the appearance of the shoe. The decorative covering may be made of materials as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. Further, the peel-off layer and the adhesive may be made of materials as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1.

A shoe accessory, such as the shoe accessory 100, of the present disclosure offers following advantages. A decorative covering, such as the decorative coverings 102, 150 and 160, of the shoe accessory is capable of being attached to a portion of a shoe for hiding scuffmarks on the shoe. Further, the decorative covering may be capable of modifying an appearance of the shoe. Specifically, the decorative covering may add to an aesthetic appeal of the shoe. Furthermore, the shoe accessory may be utilized by individual users for modifying their shoes, without help from a shoe expert, such as a manufacturer, cobbler, shoe dealer, and the like. Still further, the shoe accessory may be removable, thereby allowing a user to modify appearance of their shoes repeatedly.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. 

1. A shoe accessory, the shoe accessory comprising: a decorative covering configured to be attached on a portion of a shoe, the decorative covering comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface comprising an adhesive for affixing the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe, the second surface comprising a decoration; and a peel-off layer bound with the adhesive on the first surface, wherein peeling off the peel-off layer exposes the adhesive, the exposed adhesive capable of attaching the decorative covering on the portion of the shoe.
 2. The shoe accessory of claim 1, wherein the decorative covering is composed of at least one of vinyl.
 3. The shoe accessory of claim 1, wherein the decorative covering is composed of at least one of leather.
 4. The shoe accessory of claim 1, wherein the portion of the shoe is at least one of a sole, a heel and an upper portion of the shoe.
 5. A method for modifying an appearance of a shoe, the method comprising: peeling off a peel-off layer from a shoe accessory, the peel-off layer bound with an adhesive on the shoe accessory; and attaching the shoe accessory on a portion of the shoe for modifying the appearance of the shoe, wherein, the shoe accessory comprises a decorative covering, the decorative covering comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface comprising the adhesive for binding the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe, the second surface comprising a decoration for modifying the appearance of the shoe.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the portion of the shoe is at least one of a sole, a heel and an upper portion of the shoe.
 7. A shoe, the shoe comprising: a sole including a top surface and a bottom surface; an upper portion mounted on the top surface of the sole; a heel configured on the bottom surface of the sole; and a decorative covering attached on a portion of the shoe, the portion of the shoe comprising at least one of the sole, the upper portion and the heel; the decorative covering comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface comprising an adhesive for attaching the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe, the second surface comprising a decoration.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the decorative covering is composed of at least one of vinyl.
 9. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the decorative covering is composed of at least one of leather. 